Arriving Now in the Meadowlands!

Marsh Wren

Thanks to Chris Takacs, Field Trip Chairman of the Bergen County Audubon Society, for the following update on what birds are taking up residence in the Meadowlands, and the accompanying great photos!

From Chris Takacs: This is the time when the waterfowl move north to breed and shorebirds move in to the Meadowlands to refuel on their way north. Yelllowlegs are now seen everyday and expect Least Sandpipers and Spotted Sandpipers to arrive.

Common Yellowthroat

Savannah Sparrows have arrived and expect to see Field Sparrows and Towhees too. Palm and Yellow-rumped Warblers have been seen for two weeks, but now is the time to look for our breeding warblers, Common Yellowthroats and Yellow Warblers. Migrant warblers will begin to move through the Meadowlands. Look for Black and White, Prairie, American Redstart, Black-throated Blue and Northern Parula. Marsh Wrens, the tiny ones in the phragmites, are starting to arrive too.

Clapper Rail

Orchard Oriole

Fortster’s Terns have arrived and the time is now to watch their courtship rituals of sharing fish. Least Terns are due to arrive soon too. Check DeKorte Park for American Coot, Clapper Rail and Common Gallinule as these local scarce breeders begin to arrive. Orchard and Baltimore Orioles, nesters in DeKorte Park, should arrive this week too. It’s an exciting time in migration as the weather warms and the birds arrive.

Don Torino’s Life in the Meadowlands: Thank You Notes to the Birds

My Fourth grade teacher Ms. Henderson at Jackson Avenue School in Hackensack was the first to tell me of the wonders of the bird world. I was privileged enough to learn about Baltimore Orioles, Robins and Cardinals right from my classroom window.

Ms. Henderson gave me a lifelong love and fascination of nature and our birds that I have cherished for a lifetime. Today one of my joys in life is having the honor of visiting local schools and giving back to the students what Ms. Henderson gave so unselfishly to me many years ago: the love of birds.

For years Bergen County Audubon Society has partnered with the Saddle Brook Middle School helping Mrs. Dunlap and all the wonderful teachers and students with their Schoolyard Wildlife habitat and the Great Backyard Bird Count.

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Mehrhof Pond Wildlife Observation Area Is Open!

We’re thrilled to announce that the Mehrhof Pond Wildlife Observation Area in Little Ferry is open to the public! An opening ceremony took place yesterday. The public now has access to this wonderful site that includes includes watershed, wetlands, forestry and other sensitive natural resources. It’s all framed by an awesome observation blind donated by the Bergen County Audubon Society!

The site is located on Mehrhof Road between Dietrich Street and McCabe Court and is open from dawn to dusk daily.

The Record posted a great video with the BCAS’ own Don Torino here. A story that ran in today’s paper can be found here

The project was made a reality by a collaboration of several entities:

The Meadowlands Conservation Trust, which spearheaded and provided the majority of funding for the project; the Bergen County Utilities Authority, which gave access to its property; the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, whose staff oversaw the project, chose and planted hundreds of native plants, and designed historical and wildlife interpretive signs; the County of Bergen, which funded design and construction of the accessibility ramp to the observation blind, removal of decaying trees and the placement of recycling receptacles. They also refurbished the park benches. And of course, as mentioned above, the BCAS!

We look forward to receiving your photos from this newly accessible environmental gem!

Bottoms Up!

Ankur Sharan captured this scene of what looks to be a couple of mallards diving for a meal at DeKorte Park earlier this month. Ankur also got some nice Terrapin, Red-winged Blackbird, Tree Swallow and Daffodil shots. Thanks Ankur!

 

Meadowlands Marsh Hawks Set for World Series of Birding May 12

It’s that time of year again: The New Jersey Audobon Society’s 35th Annual World Series of Birding is Saturday May 12, and the Meadowlands Marsh Hawks team will be traversing the region to raise funding for NJAS research to help our avian friends!

All funds raised by the Meadowlands Marsh Hawks go to NJAS to support their research with grassland surveys, shorebird surveys and banding, and work being conducted at Stone Harbor. All of the projects are conducted on species in decline. To donate to the Marsh Hawks click here .

During the World Series of Birding teams of birders set out to record as many species as they can, by sight or sound, over a 24-hour period. The Marsh Hawks will begin their journey throughout the Meadowlands at the stroke of midnight on Friday, May 11, and continue until midnight May 12.

Good luck Meadowlands Marsh Hawks!